Today: Brighten up.
When I was a sprightly, more youthful twenty-something (I am officially over the hill when it comes to the twenties), I worked in a little state by the name of Rhode Island. It’s not actually an island, and I wouldn’t exactly qualify the state’s leadership as Rhodes Scholars.
In fact, there are a lot of things about Massachusetts’ neighbor to the south that continue to baffle me. But that’s a dramatic story– of RI Troopers and speeding tickets, and regional meetings in a state the size of my largest Michael Kors bag– for another day. If you’re lucky, that day will not be in the foreseeable future.
I did a lot of things down there, including occasionally driving the speed limit. I got to work with a lot of great people. And I learned a lot. My first few years out of the Eagles Nest were not easy, but they were certainly formative. One of the most lasting lessons I learned was from a fourth grader.
“Are you a sad person, Miss Elizabeth?” the little human asked after we finished up a lesson on local architecture. Considering that just hours prior, I had moved my car to find that yet another feral cat had chosen the underbelly of my Focus as its final resting place, this was perhaps the wrong day to ask such a question. Was I a sad person? Possibly. Was I a pathetic person? Highly likely.
The boy’s question was a loaded question, and on top of that, a personal question. In other words, a question not to be answered truthfully. “Nope, I’m as happy as a Lisa Frank rainbow,” I said. Except I probably didn’t reference only the greatest Trapper Keeper designer of all time.
“Then why do you wear all black, Miss Elizabeth?” Oh. So thaaat’s where we’re going with this. His question had nothing to do with dead (likely diseased) cats, or my (lack of) salary, or my two hour commute. It was about my gloomy wardrobe.
The boy’s great-grandmother was recently widowed and, following the customs she brought with her from the Azores, she had taken to wearing all black as she mourned her late husband. She would, in fact, wear all black until she passed away. I can’t imagine her great-grandson thought I was a widow– that would have required someone being willing to marry me in the first place– but he certainly thought my outfit could stand to be brightened up. “If you wear pink,” he said, “it tells people that you’re happy and funny.”
Happy and funny (sometimes even intentionally). That’s me to a tee.
Also On Tap for Today:
- 4.2 mile race (2nd to last one of the summer!) 🙂
- It’s not too late: 3 days free at Healthworks Fitness
- Does your sushi dinner need training wheels sticks?
Do you have a daily uniform? Are you an all-black dresser, or are you bright and bold?
Comments (10)
Emily
August 19, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Ha, Lisa Frank. Awesome! I guess I do have a lot of black and gray in my wardrobe (they are staples, after all) but try to pair dark bottoms with brighter tops so I don’t look like an angsty teen. Or widow, for that matter. Good to know that pink = funny and happy!
Elizabeth
August 20, 2010 at 8:50 am
Thanks, ladies!
Megan @ The Daily Sweat
August 20, 2010 at 12:38 pm
i LOVE the name of your blog, just love it.
Tina
August 20, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Lisa Frank! I was just taken back to elementary and middle school. LOL
Kids are so adorable. They say the strangest things but sometimes are so insightful.
Jul
August 22, 2010 at 11:28 am
I went to college in Rhode Island. Fun place, back in the Buddy Cianci days.
I am a mostly-black dresser, with a couple of red items tossed in.
And boy did that Lisa Frank know how to get my little girl heart to go pitter-patter, back before I dressed in black.
jesstutt@gmail.com
August 22, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Visiting from ICLW. I don’t wear a uniform. I wear what ever is comfortable yet passable as business wear. My favorite piece is a black cotton peasant skirt.
-Jess (#74)
lady pumpkin
August 23, 2010 at 2:43 am
Happy ICLW! You should move down to NY. All-black is practically our uniform! Take care and congrats on your recent race.
Deanna Zachrich
August 23, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Kids sure do know what to say to keep us on our toes. I love wearing greens and chocolate browns. Recently my daughter told me I should update my wardrobe to something less camouflaged. – Oh well. Everyone has an opinion, right?
Lauren @ Health on the Run
August 26, 2010 at 7:37 am
This is such a cute post!! I love it…even though you did bash on poor little Rhode Island just a little bit (though I have to say I agree with everything you said, haha).
The things kids say are so funny…especially when they hit on something deeper than they even know. I can’t really say I have a daily wardrobe, but I probably wear greens and browns the most. Today — I’ll wear pink. 🙂
Today: The vacation before the vacation. «
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